Commuter Rail

NEW YORK – The MTA is putting a little history back into its subway maps. With an up-to-date subway map on one side and a collection of vintage system guides on the other, subway riders can now use the new special-edition Centennial Map to find out how to get where they’re going, while at the same time, learning where the system has been. The Centennial Map is part of the MTA’s yearlong celebration of the New York City Subway Centennial (1904–2004) and commemorates the history of the New York City Subway. More than 1 million of the maps were available

ATLANTA — Joining a collection of police agencies from across the state, 20 officers from the MARTA Police Department have been redeployed to serve at the G8 Summit on Sea Island. “All of the local law enforcement agencies were asked to contribute if they could,” said MARTA Police Chief Gene Wilson. “However, the State Department of Homeland Security were particularly interested in team members who could fill special abilities such as our Special Operations Response Team.” The MARTA officers will join roughly 20,000 law enforcement officers and National Guard troops from all over the state of Georgia guarding the G8

PHILADELPHIA – SEPTA has received about $1 million in federal homeland security funds to be used to increase security on the commuter rail system. “The safety and security of our customers and our employees is our top priority,” SEPTA General Manager Faye Moore said. “We appreciate Governor (Edward G.) Rendell’s support of our efforts to enhance security over our very large transportation infrastructure.” This latest investment of security funding will be devoted to systems and programs dedicated to providing the best security possible for SEPTA’s customers and infrastructure. SEPTA has previously received $6.4 million in federal security funding. Rendell has

PITTSBURGH – The modernization of Port Authority’s T light rail transit system reached a major milestone Wednesday, June 2, 2004, when the first new light rail vehicles (LRVs) in 19 years begin revenue service over the new Overbrook Line. The 5.2-mile Overbrook Line, closed in June 1993 due to deteriorated track bed and bridges, and the purchase of 28 new LRVs are among the major elements of the $386 million Stage II Light Rail Transit Project. The project continues the modernization of Port Authority’s 25-mile T system. “We are very pleased to open our Stage II project and fulfill a

PHILADELPHIA – An “electronic motion detector” discovered May 5 in SEPTA’s Powelton Rail Yard was placed there by an employee for personal use, the railroad and the FBI said in a joint statement. The unidentified employee, who works full time for SEPTA and part-time for a security alarm company, told the FBI he put the device by the tracks to alert him of approaching foot traffic, “presumably his supervisors,” the statement indicates. “In light of the high degree of attention being devoted to public transportation security, we consider this to be a very serious matter,” SEPTA and the FBI said

PHILADELPHIA – A device, described as a “commercial motion detector,” was found in a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) rail yard, arousing suspicions among officials. A SEPTA employee discovered the device on May 5 and a week later it was turned over to the FBI for analysis. SEPTA Transit Police, Philadelphia police and the FBI are continuing to investigate the device discovered along a track in a rail car storage yard near 30th Street Station. “The investigation, to date, shows no indication of any threat to the security of the SEPTA rail system,” SEPTA and the FBI said in a

ATLANTA – A man walking in a train tunnel was killed Monday when he was struck by a westbound MARTA train, published reports indicate. The man was struck by the six-car train at about 10:20 a.m. It is unclear why the man was inside the tunnel, just east of the Decatur station. The train’s operator notified authorities after the train struck the man. “She pulled the emergency stop when she saw him,” MARTA spokeswoman Kimberly Willis Green told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for a story posted to their web site Monday afternoon. Authorities did not release the man’s identity except to

PHILADELPHIA – A region-wide coalition of major business, civic, labor and community organizations has been convened to inform the public and state government of the financial plight of SEPTA, which is facing a $70-million budget crisis. Approximately 50 leaders of region-wide businesses and organizations gathered for the first time today at the offices of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. "Public transportation services provided by SEPTA affect everyone in the five-county region, whether they are regular commuters or not," said Pasquale T. Deon, Sr., SEPTA Board Chairman. "Without long-term, predictable funding, SEPTA service will be in jeopardy. This, in turn,

NEW ORLEANS – For the first time in 40 years, the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority will resume revenue service of the Canal Streetcar line. "The new Streetcar will be a bright, functional and most-welcomed addition to our city," said Sandra Shilstone, president and CEO of the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation. "Generations of New Orleanians have ridden the Streetcar to and from work, and visitors love the old-world charm of the ride." The new Canal Streetcar will take thousands of locals and tourists to work and play each day as it travels the 5.5-mile route from the French Market,

NEWARK, N.J. — For the second straight year, Governor James E. McGreevey’s budget calls for N.J. Transit fares remain at their current level. "Public transportation must remain affordable for the hundreds of thousands of hard-working New Jerseyans who commute to work every day," McGreevey said. "This is an important addition to their quality of life – and yet another way we’re investing to keep New Jersey’s economy the strongest among the Northeastern states." In keeping the fares the same this year, McGreevey decided to allocate an extra $85 million to N.J. Transit. These additional funds, combined with internal cost efficiencies,